Fox hunt masters charged

Hunting with hounds was outlawed

The masters of two Scottish fox hunts have been charged in connection with separate alleged incidents under the law which bans hunting with dogs.

The legal action follows an investigation by officers from Lothian and Borders Police.

The two men involved are the Master of the Buccleuch Hunt, Trevor Adams, and his former counterpart at the Jedforest Hunt, Rory Innes.

Mr Adams has been charged in connection with an alleged incident involving a fox in October last year.

Mr Innes faces court action following a separate alleged incident last month after which he stepped down from the post.

He said he would defend the case vigorously.

Legislation

Mr Adams said he was surprised it had taken so long to decide to charge him.

He added that he hoped if the case went to court, the trial would clarify a number of grey areas in the law which bans hunting with dogs.

The Scottish Countryside Alliance said it was disappointed but not surprised that charges had been brought.

Scotland became the first part of the UK to ban mounted hunting with hounds, effectively outlawing fox-hunting, fox-baiting and hare coursing.

The court case will be a significant test of the new legislation, which came into effect last August.